Admitting that the State-supported working women’s hostels have not been able to function effectively, the government is working on a new model of managing working women’s hostels.
It is planning to approach the Central government for financial assistance of ₹40 crore. Initially, the idea is to build hostels in the districts of Chennai (Vadapalani), Tiruvallur (Gummidipoondi), Hosur and Tiruchi, said an official in the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme (SW&NMP) department, adding that funds will be sought from the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Next Tuesday, principal secretary of the department, K. Manivasan, is expected to hold a meeting of officials to get the proposals finalised and have them sent to the Centre at the earliest.
Two broad reasons are being cited for the government’s initiative. Government-run hostels are characterised by a host of factors such as lack of facilities, safety and security apart from inadequate staff. Another reason is the feedback received by the authorities that private working women’s hostels, which have “mushroomed in every nook and corner,” to quote a government document, are being overcrowded. They also suffer from inadequate facilities, even though they charge high rent from women inmates.
Under the proposed model, hostels will have all modern facilities and will operate based on the principle of cross-subsidy. There will be two categories of inmates and, depending upon their income level, rents will be charged.
Those who are in need of government support may have to pay less. At the same time, there will be “no discrimination” between them with regard to the provision of facilities, the official said.
Also, instead of getting hostel buildings constructed through the Public Works Department, the Social Welfare Department has established a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the Companies Act - Tamil Nadu Working Women Hostels Corporation Limited. The new entity will have buildings constructed for the proposed hostels with facilities such as gymnasium, banquet halls, libraries, medical room, and wi-fi.
The approach and model have been finalised by the department, after holding discussions with the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Fund Management Corporation (TNIFMC), a government-promoted company, which had, in turn, engaged Knight Frank, a consultancy firm, for preparing a detailed feasibility report.
Considering the fact that there are 133 homes meant for senior citizens and destitute children which are operating with the assistance of funds of the Central and State governments, the SPV can also handle building housing crèches, child care institutions and senior citizen homes, according to a government order issued in late May.
